Kos: Try Scuba Diving with a diving boat

Kos has one of the easiest starts for first-timers. This half-day boat trip to Pserimos pairs a calm, shallow underwater session with careful beginner coaching on the Liamis Dive Boat Apollon. I especially like how the team keeps things structured, so you spend less time worrying and more time looking at fish and reef life.

Second thing I love: the plan is built for comfort. You stay in a protected bay, depth rises gently to a max of 5 meters, and the clear water makes buoyancy feel manageable from the first moment. You’re also not doing this solo, you’re grouped and closely watched the whole time.

One consideration before you book: you’ll need to be able to swim, and you must fill out a medical statement. Also, you’re told it is not safe to fly for 24 hours after your underwater session, so plan your flights accordingly.

Key things to know before you go

• Beginner setup and tight supervision with groups of about 4 to 5 divers and 2 instructors
• Max depth of 5 meters in a sheltered bay, so it feels controlled and easy
• Equipment and snorkeling gear included, plus a site briefing before you enter the water
• A relaxing break on Pserimos with options to swim or snorkel while others finish
• Optional second underwater session for an extra 45 euros cash on the boat

Why Pserimos Works So Well for a First Scuba Day

If you’re thinking about trying scuba on Kos for the first time, the big question is simple: will it feel intimidating? This trip makes that problem smaller right away by sending you to a sheltered stretch around Pserimos. The bay is protected by rocky outcrops, which means the water is usually calmer, and you’re not fighting swell or waves.

That matters because the first underwater minutes are really about coordination, breathing, and learning how your gear behaves. Here, the plan keeps the depth very shallow, maxing out at 5 meters. Since the water is clear, that depth increase often feels less dramatic than you’d expect on paper. You can focus on what you came for, seeing Mediterranean sea life up close.

And you’re not just dropping in and leaving. Between briefings and guided time underwater, the experience gives you a slow on-ramp. You stop along the way, look at marine life from the surface, then go in for a short, instructor-led session.

From Liamis Dive Centre to the Boat Apollon, in About Six Hours

The day starts at the Liamis Dive Centre, then you cruise out from Kos around 08:30. The boat is Liamis Dive Boat Apollon, a long ride, about 25 meters, with both a shaded deck and a spacious sun deck. On a sunny day in the Dodecanese, that’s not a small detail. You’ll want shade while listening to the safety talk, then open sun time once you’re ready to relax.

Once you’re underway, there’s about a 45-minute sightseeing cruise. This is good even if you’re already thinking only about the water. It breaks up the day so you’re not rushed straight into equipment, and it lets you settle into the rhythm of the crew.

You’re back in Kos around 14:30, which keeps the whole experience to about 6 hours. That’s ideal for a vacation day when you still want time for dinner in town, or for people who don’t want to commit to a full-day program.

The Safety Briefing That Actually Prepares You

The most reassuring part of this style of tour is the pacing of the safety work. Before anyone goes in, you get an in-depth briefing on the dive plan, diving safety, and the equipment you’ll use. The briefing takes about 15 minutes in the schedule details, and the overall flow is still short enough to keep your attention while you absorb key points.

For first-timers, I like this approach because it avoids a lecture vibe. You learn what matters for your particular session: how the gear is supposed to sit on you, how to breathe calmly, and what to expect from the group and instructors.

There’s also a clear instructor presence during the underwater time. When you go in, you’re with a small group and you’re supervised closely. The goal is simple: you learn to feel safe, then you enjoy the sea.

One more important practical point. You’ll be asked to fill out a medical statement. That’s not “paperwork for paperwork’s sake.” It’s tied to whether you can safely participate, especially for people with serious health issues. The tour also requires you to be able to swim, so don’t assume you can fake it with courage.

Your First Shallow Underwater Session at Max 5 Meters

This is where the day becomes magic, but it stays structured. After the cruise and the briefing, you move to Pserimos Town area for the water time.

You’re separated into groups of about 4 to 5 people, with 2 instructors. That instructor ratio is a big deal for first attempts. You’re not being left to figure things out by watching others.

When you enter the water, you stay within the confines of the bay, which helps keep the conditions predictable. Depth increases very gently until the end of the bay, reaching a max depth of about 5 meters. In practice, that shallow range makes the session feel doable. You can spend your mental energy on breathing and buoyancy rather than fear about how far down you’ll go.

The guided underwater time is about 20 to 25 minutes. That’s long enough to feel like you had a real experience, but short enough to keep it comfortable while you learn. Along the way, you stop and look at abundant marine life. You’re encouraged to interact with fish and take underwater photos.

A small but helpful note: the instructors remain watchful the entire time. If you start to feel panicky, you’re not expected to “tough it out.” The tone of the trip, from multiple first-time experiences shared in the feedback, is patient and supportive. In at least one case, an anxious partner worked through breathing with the instructors and ended up really enjoying the session.

Pserimos Break Time: Snorkeling and Swimming Options

Once your first underwater session ends, you get a relaxing break. This is often the part people underestimate. You’re not rushing immediately into the next thing. You can cool down, catch your breath, and get your thoughts together.

If you want more sea time without paying extra, you can stay on board and snorkel or swim. Snorkeling gear is included, so you’re not stuck wondering whether you can rent it later. On clear days, snorkeling here can be a great way to keep the underwater feeling going, especially if you’d rather stay at the surface.

If you want a second underwater session, you have the option to add it for 45 euros payable cash on the boat. Some people do one and then snorkel, others go for two. If you’re feeling good after the first one, the second session can be worth it because you’ve already learned the rhythm of gear and breathing. But keep in mind it is extra cost, so decide before you’re totally committed.

The Real Value Behind the Price (About $123)

For about $123 per person, you get more than just a short boat ride. Here’s what’s included that makes the value make sense:

• Boat transfers and the captain
• Dive instructors and a site briefing
• Diving equipment for your session
• One underwater session in a group setup (about 4 to 5 divers with 2 instructors), max 5 meters for 20 to 25 minutes
• Snorkeling gear
• A morning schedule that gets you to a good underwater site and back by early afternoon

When scuba feels expensive, it’s often because a lot of costs are hidden: rentals, guide time, transportation, and then extra charges for additional gear or photos. This tour bundles a lot of essentials upfront, especially equipment and coaching time.

What costs extra is also pretty clear:

• The second underwater session is 45 euros cash on the boat
• Snacks and drinks on the boat are payable on board
• Underwater photos and videos in a USB memory stick cost 25 euros

You may also see photos and videos delivered quickly via an online transfer method, based on shared feedback. If that matters to you, ask the crew what format they use for your day.

What to Bring for a Comfortable, Low-Stress Day

This is a boat-and-water day, so your goal is comfort, sun protection, and a simple kit you won’t dread packing.

Bring:

• Comfortable shoes
• Sunglasses
• A hat
• Swimwear
• A towel
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable clothes for the boat
• Cash (especially if you want the optional second session, 45 euros, and for snacks or photos)

Also bring weather-appropriate clothing. Kos weather can shift, and you’ll be on deck before and after water time. The tour itself lists pets as not allowed, but assistance dogs are allowed.

And one more practical reality check. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Fishing is not allowed either, so you can focus on the sea life without distraction.

Who Should Book This and Who Should Skip It

This experience is a good match if you:

• Are trying scuba for the first time
• Want a short, structured session with careful supervision
• Prefer a shallow max depth and calm bay conditions
• Plan a half-day activity that leaves you energy for the rest of Kos

It is not suitable for children under 12, non-swimmers, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. You’ll also need to fill out a medical statement and meet safety requirements.

If you’re an active swimmer but feel nervous about breathing underwater, this kind of small-group setup with attentive instructors can help. Multiple first-timer experiences emphasized patience when anxiety showed up.

If you’re thinking, I want to do scuba, but I don’t want to worry about logistics, this tour’s structure helps. You’re picked up, briefed, equipped, guided, and back on land around mid-afternoon.

Should You Book This Kos-to-Pserimos First-Time Course?

If you’ve been curious about scuba but worried about the first-time learning curve, I’d book this. The combination of shallow depth (max 5 meters), a protected bay, small groups, and a solid safety briefing makes it a calmer introduction than most people expect.

It’s especially worth it if:

• You want one well-run session plus snorkeling time
• You value included equipment and guided instruction over piecing things together
• You’re on Kos for a short stay and want a reliable half-day plan

Skip it if:

• Flying within 24 hours is unavoidable for your schedule
• You cannot swim confidently
• You have serious health issues that might make participation unsafe

When in doubt, decide based on two factors: your comfort in open water, and whether you can respect the 24-hour flight rule after your underwater session. If you can, this is one of the most straightforward ways to taste scuba on Kos and come away wanting to do more.

FAQ

How deep will I go on the first session?

Your group goes to a maximum depth of about 5 meters.

How long is the whole experience and when are you back in Kos?

The total experience is about 6 hours. The boat departs around 08:30 and you arrive back around 14:30.

Do I need prior scuba experience?

No prior experience is required. The trip is suitable for beginners.

Is the second underwater session included?

No. You can add a second session for an extra 45 euros paid cash on the boat.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, and you have time to snorkel or swim during the break.

What are the age and swimming requirements?

The minimum age is 12. You must be able to swim.

Can I fly the next day?

You are advised that it is not safe to fly for 24 hours after your underwater session.